Lana Del Ray

FEATURED ARTIST: EMILY BLUE//

BLACKBERRIES/

As Emily Blue’s new single release “Blackberries” launches, my eyes close and I’m taken to a coastal drive with the top down. Harps, guitars, piano tones and a sense of optimism combine to create a soundscape of good feels. Her unapologetic brand of classic pop shows its flexibility with, distorted instrumental licks reminiscent of 808’s and Heartbreak or The Neighbourhood. Paired with pleasant lyrics and clever recording techniques, this radio-ready single literally had this Foo Fighters-obsessed writer bobbing his head. There’s no reason this shouldn’t be the soundtrack to some happy-go-lucky Wes Anderson montage with colorful scenery and beaming smiles to fully complement it. With elements of Lana Del Rey, Sara Bareilles, and the catchiness of Bruno Mars, this song is destined to tickle the eardrums of people all over the country.

RICO ACID/

An a capella vocal beat rings out as the song as “Rico Acid” begins and I’m pleasantly confused. Its name is well-suited; it diverts from the typical path that a pop song would take with an uneasy “acidic” element. Ambient chords blanket the song as the synth tones and sound effects pull the listener in and out of a musical trance. Just as I was getting invested, the song abruptly ends and a sense of pride for how clever this artist is overwhelms me. With a grin, I decide that I am now a fan of Emily Blue.

KEEP SCROLLING TO PREVIEW THE DUAL-SINGLE

Emily Blue is a workhorse in the music industry, fronting two other prolific Indie groups in the Central Illinois Area. Her influence has spread across the internet after her nonprofit release of “Another Angry Woman” which tackled the idea of womanhood and the current climate of rape culture. This record was incredibly well-received and was featured in Chicago Tribune, Huffington Post, Atwood Magazine, NPR Illinois, among others.

Though her other projects are largely successful, it would seem that her newest singles on her solo side of her career are looking to be her best. Whether it’s the peppy optimism of “Blackberries” or the acidic trance of “Rico Acid,” Emily Blue’s new singles are sure to please you. Follow her social media outlets found below and be on the lookout for this release, as these singles sure to be on everyone’s playlist (preview singles below). Get to know her now, and you’ll be able to grin and say you “knew her when”…

To engage with fans or not to engage, that is the question.

This debate over the importance of engaging with fans on social media continues. Why should you keep your fan engaged on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites? What are the benefits of sharing, following, liking or commenting back to your fans?

In this article, you will learn why online engagement is important to your music career. Read on to find out more.

1. Music has infiltrated into the social media platforms forming a large portion of social engagement. Thousands of music songs and video clips are liked, shared, tweeted, retweeted and Instagrammed daily than any other social media content. Therefore, engaging with your fans on social media allows your music to be evaluated, shared, and marketed at the speed of light.

2. In addition to promoting your music, engaging with your fans in social media gives you a chance to shape your tainted image or build your brand. For instance, you may crash with your music competitors, producers, promoters or face false allegations from haters. You can utilize social media to speak with your fans and share the side of your story. Those platforms give you a chance to respond to burning questions your fans may have. A good example is that of Frank Ocean who made headlines when he took to his social media platforms to clear his name about a relationship he had with another man. He was able to comment back to his fans something that helped him clear his name.

“let a fan who is engaging with you know that you are listening”

3. Although it can turn out labor intensive, responding to your fans in social media and creating a dialogue with them will develop a positive personal relationship between your fans and your band. A simple “like” or retweet is enough to let a fan who is engaging with you know that you are listening.

4. As you continue to connect with your social media networks, you don’t want to neglect your existing fans. In fact, your fan base won’t actually grow if you are not responding or talking to them. Engaging with your fans in social media will not only allow you to connect with your crowd but it will also help your fan base grow. Jay Z and Beyonce are both talented and experienced musicians. Both have well-established fan bases but have found that regular social engagement helps them stay connected with their audiences. They try to keep it plain, real, and down to earth.

5. The traditional music business model depended on record sales of albums. This model is slowly becoming irrelevant. With the emergence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, some artists have been made famous before they even release a single album. For instance, Lana Del Ray who is now a popular pop singer was noticed when she created a faux music video for her song “Video Games.” She shared the song on her social media accounts and within a few hours it became a viral internet sensation. So it is not a secret that engaging with your fans will bring you into the limelight if you are an upcoming artist.